Pirovette exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device comprising a platform adapted to pivot about a base. The platform and base pivot by means of two concentric rings of ball bearings riding in raceways formed from two superimposed plates. The upper plate is attached to the platform and the lower plate is attached to the base. One or more handles are attached to the device.

United States Patent Field of Search [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,835,492 5/1958 LaLonde 272/57 3,454,273 7/1969 Vogt 272/57FOREIGN PATENTS 425,573 11/1966 Switzerland i. 272/57 PrimaryExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Marvin SiskindAttorneyMarch, Gillette & Wyatt ABSTRACTsAn exercise device comprising aplatform adapted to pivot about a base. The platform and base pivot bymeans of two concentric rings of -ball bearings riding in racewaysformed from two superimposed plates. The upper plate is attached to theplatform and the lower plate is attached to the base. One or morehandles are attached to'the device.

PATENTEUJULZOIBYI 9 9599.994 I SHEET 2 BF 2 l. INVIJN'I'UK ABRAHAM I.ANBAR A770 IVE Y5 PIROVETTE EXERCISE DEVICE RELATED APPLICATION Thepresent application is a continuation-in-part of copending applicationSer. No. 743,713, filed July 10, I968, and now abandoned.

The present invention relates to an exercise and/or game device.

Large numbers of people are overweight and suffer from a multitude ofailments simply because under modern conditions of living they do notreceive sufiicient exercise. Where a person is not actually overweight,he is likely to have poor muscle tone, to lack endurance and to tirereadily. Lack of exercise, in addition to being responsible for poorphysical condition, is often responsible for mental and psychologicaldistress.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device adapted topromote physical well-being. Another object is to provide a device whileoccupying a minimum amount of space is capable of providing any desireddegree of exercise, either mild or strenuous, at the discretion or needof the user. A further object is to provide a device which because it isso easy and pleasant to use tends to insure that the benefits of regularexercise will be obtained. Still another object is to provide a devicewhich may be employed as a game as well as an exercise device. These andother objects of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing description.

A simple, compact, portable device which achieves the foregoing objectsis disclosed and described in eopending application Ser. No. 743,713.The device which can be used either as an exercise device or as a gamecomprises a generally circular platform rotatably mounted on a base. Theplatform and the base are rotatable relative to one another by means oftwo concentric rings .of ball bearings riding in raceways formed bycooperation of the platform and the base. The base may be provided withfriction elements to provide stability. The base and platform may eachbe ribbed to provide increased strength. Improved benefits are obtainedby attaching one or more handles to the device.

The invention is directed to an exercise or game device comprising aplatform adapted to pivot about a base, the platform and base beingpivotable relative to one another by means of ball bearings, theplatform and base having means cooperating with each other to form theball bearing raceways, and handle means attached to the base, said meansadapted to be grasped while using the device. The invention is directedto such a device wherein the handle means is joined to the base byflexible cable means. The invention is directed to such a device whereinthe cable means is elastic. The invention is directed to such a devicewherein the handle is connected to the cable by spring means. Theinvention is directed to such a device wherein the cable is connected tothe base by spring means. The invention is directed to such a devicewherein the handle means is attached to a peripheral extension of thebase.

The invention is directed to an exercise or game device comprising aplatform adapted to pivot about a base, the platfonn and base beingpivotable relative to one another by means of ball bearings, theplatform and base having means cooperating with each other to form theball bearing raceways; and handle means attached to the base, said meansadapted to be grasped while using the device, wherein the raceways areformed by a first member attached to the platform and a second memberattached to the base, each member having a plurality of superimposedarcuate curvalures which cooperate to form the ball bearing raceways,the base being provided with nonskid friction elements, the platform andbase being reinforced by ribs, the handle attached to spring means, thespring means being fixed to a flexible elastic cable means, the end ofsaid cable means remote from the handle being fixed to second springmeans, the second spring means being fixed to a peripheral extension ofthe base. The

invention is directed to such a device wherein two handle means areprovided at approximatelly opposite points of the base.

FIG. I is a perspective view of the basic exercise device and/or game ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the exercise device and/or game ofFlG.1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the improved device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the basic exercise device and/or game of the presentinvention comprises a generally circular platform mounted on a base 11.The platform may be provided with an outwardly sloping peripheral flange12 which overhangs the base 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. l,.teeplatform 10 and flange 12 together have the shape of a truncated cone.The platform which is rotatable relative to the base may be of such asize as to enable a person to place both feet thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base 11 may be provided with friction members 13which firmly grip the surface upon which the base is resting to preventmovement of the base. For increased support and strength, the base maybe provided with one or more ribs 14. Similarly, the platform 10 may beprovided with one or more ribs 15 for increased strength and support. Aplate I6 is attached to the base 11 by suitable fastening means. In thisembodiment, one of the fastening means, screw 17, is shown. A plate 18is attached to the underside of platform 10 by suitable fastening means.In this embodiment two of the fastening means, screws I9 and 20, areshown. Any other suitable fastening means may, of course, be used.

Each plate is provided with two concentric arcuatc curvatures.Curvaturcs 21b and 22b in plate 18 are superimposed over curvatures 21aand 22a, respectively in plate '16. The supen'mposed curvatures togetherform an annular raceway adapted to receive ball bearings which permitmovement of plates 16 and 18 relative to one another. In FIG. 2, ballbearing 23 rides in the annular raceway formed by depressions 21a and21b, and ball bearing 24 rides in the annular raceway formed bydepressions 22a and 22b. Plates l6 and 18 may be joined by any suitablefastening means. In the embodiment shown, bolt 25 and nut 26 secureplate 16 to plate 18.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the: exercise and/or game device of thepresent invention showing the arrangement of reinforcing ribs 14 in base11. Screws 17, 26, 27 and 28 pass through holes in the bottom of plate1.6 and engage threaded holes 170, 26a, 27a and 28a in the bottom ofbase II. The bottom of base 11 overlying screws 17, 26, 27 and 28 iscovered by nonskid friction members 13. The platform 10 may be fastenedto plate 18 by any suitable fastening means. In this embodiment thefastening means are screws 29, 30, ill and 32 which engage holes 29a,30a, 31a, and 320, respectively in plate 18 and extend therethrough toengage threaded holes in the underside of platform 10.

FIG. 4 shows the handle means attached to the base. The handle meansconsist of a handle grip 35 joined to an extensible cable 36 by springmeans 37. The other end of the cable 36 is joined to a peripheralextension 39 of the base by second spring means 38.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view showing the peripheral extension 39attached to the base by means of prongs 39a and 39b inserted into andbent around the inner edge of U-shaped strip 34. Strip 34 is attached tothe bottom of the base.

The manner of using the exercise device and/or game of the presentinvention, is limited only by the imagination and dexterity of the user.A simple way is to stand on the platform and simply turn from left toright, and right to left. With practice, this may be done withincreasing speed. Other variations are to bend the knees and ankleswhile turning from left to right, going from an upright to a squattingposition.

The present invention is useful in providing stimulating exercise,losing excess weight, and strengthening legs and ankles while developingbalance particularly useful for such sports as skiing and water skiing.

While the invention has been described in terms of a specificembodiment, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art thatmodifications may be made therein within the scope of the followingclaims.

What I claim is: 1. An exercise device which comprises a platform;abase; I I said platform and said base being pivotable relative to oneanother by means of ball bearings and having means cooperating with eachother to form raceways for ball bearings; I

said base being provided with peripheral extensions thereon; and

handle means attached to said peripheral extensions.

2. A device according to claim I wherein the raceways are formed by afirst member attached to the platform and a second member attached tothe base. each member having a plurality of superimposed arcuatecurvatures which cooperate to form the ball bearing raceways, the basebeing provided with nonskidfriction elements, the platform and basebeing reinforced by ribs, the handle attached to spring means, thespring means fixed to a flexible elastic cable means, the end of saidcable means remote from the handle being fixed to second spring means,the second spring means being fixed to a peripheral extension of thebase.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein two handle means are provided.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the handle means are located atapproximately opposite points of the base.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the handle means is connectedto the base by flexible cable means.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein spring means are interposedbetween the cable and the base.

7. A device according to claim 5 wherein spring means are interposedbetween the handle and the cable.

8. A device according to claim 5 wherein the cable means is elastic.

1. An exercise device which comprises a platform; a base; said platformand said base being pivotable relative to one another by means of ballbearings and having means cooperating with each other to form racewaysfor ball bearings; said base being provided with peripheral extensionsthereon; and handle means attached to said peripheral extensions.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the raceways are formed by a firstmember attached to the platform and a second member attached to thebase, each member having a plurality of superimposed arcuate curvatureswhich cooperate to form the ball bearing raceways, the base beingprovided with nonskid friction elements, the platform and base beingreinforced by ribs, the handle attached to spring means, the springmeans fixed to a flexible elastic cable means, the end of said cablemeans remote from the handle being fixed to second spring means, thesecond spring means being fixed to a peripheral extension of the base.3. A device according to claim 2 wherein two handle means are provided.4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the handle means are located atapproximately opposite points of the base.
 5. A device according toclaim 1 wherein the handle means is connected to the base by flexiblecable means.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein spring means areinterposed between the cable and the base.
 7. A device according toclaim 5 wherein spring means are interposed between the handle and thecable.
 8. A device according to claim 5 wherein the cable means iselastic.